Medicine Imaging Techniques Research Articles

Benefits of Modern Imaging Techniques in Medicine

Relevance. For more than 100 years, medical practice has used imaging methods to observe pathological changes localized in the human body. The first method was radiography, which became popular among doctors, but later it turned out that high radiation exposure increases the incidence of tumor diseases, which is why standards for permissible radiation doses were developed for patients and radiologists. The introduction of radiocontrast agents also had contraindications that should be taken into account. Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and angiography methods have significantly increased the diagnostic capabilities of instrumental methods. The purpose of this review is to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of modern imaging methods in medicine. Methods. To achieve the purpose of the review, a literature search was conducted in Google Scholar and PubMed databases. Results. 1) The main indication for the X-ray method is visualization of bone structures. 2) X-ray contrast methods are optimal for studying hollow organs and blood vessels. 3) The advantage of MRI is the ability to visualize soft tissue well. 4) CT helps to reconstruct the spatial architecture of organs. 5) Ultrasound allows you to observe the condition of the embryo and fetus, as well as internal organs.

3D reconstruction of brain tumors from 2D MRI scans: An improved marching cube algorithm

MRI is a popular imaging technique in medicine, particularly for the diagnosis of brain malignancies. Like any other acquisition approach, it has several drawbacks in addition to its many advantages. One of these is the problem of noise, which can provide extraneous and incorrect information that can fool the human eye. Methods such as MRI and CT, produce 2D images of the body's internal organs. This research aims with the 3D reconstruction of brain tumor, as it is very crucial for surgical planning, and biological study because 2D images can never capture a tumor's true appearance. However, it is extremely difficult to visualize the tumors in MRIs due to the different complexity of tumors. This work develops an Improved Marching Cube Algorithm (IMCA) based 3D reconstruction of brain tumors under 2 phases. Phase 1 will include MF-based preprocessing, segmentation based on Modified BIRCH (M-BIRCH) and hybrid classification combining optimized CNN and optimized Bi-LSTM. The suggested Self Adaptive Chimp Optimization Algorithm (SA-CHOA) will optimize the weight of CNN and Bi-LSTM. Phase 2 involves IMC (Improved Marching Cube) based 3D reconstruction. The validation outcomes demonstrate the suggested model's superiority to other established models for 3D reconstruction.

Myths about inexpediency of carrying out peptide receptor radionuclide diagnostics in patients with neuroendocrine tumors

he disease incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) is increasing every year. Neuroendocrine tumors Grade 1 and 2 have a more favorable prognosis than Grade 3. When we are talking about NET with non-detected initial focus, the 10-year survival rate is 22 % [1]. Therefore, it is necessary to make every effort and use all technical abilities to localize the primary tumor, even in the presence of metastases, because resection of the primary tumor(s) can increase disease-free and overall survival rate. Also, the choice of chemotherapy drug or the appointment of biotherapy may depend on this. Finding tumor localization remains challenging and must involve a combination of radiological, nuclear medicine and endoscopic imaging techniques. There are many different myths about the purpose of nuclear medicine examinations and interpretation of the results in NET patients. And in this article we will try to debunk some of them, using examples from our experience in our center. We choose 111 patients with NET (histologically confimed). All patients underwent scintigraphy of neuroendocrine tumors with 99mTc-EDDA/HYNICTOC (99mTc-Tektrotyd) in the «whole body» mode and additional SPECT or SPECT/CT examination of the chest,abdomen and pelvis.

Statement of the German Roentgen Society, German Society ofNeuroradiology, and Society of German-speaking Pediatric Radiologists on Requirements for the Performance and Reporting ofMR Imaging Examinations Outside of Radiology.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a very innovative, but at the same time complex and technically demanding diagnostic method in radiology. It plays an increasing role in high-quality and efficient patient management. Quality assurance in MRI is of utmost importance to avoid patient risks due to errors before and during the examination and when reporting the results. Therefore, MRI requires higher physician qualification and expertise than any other diagnostic imaging technique in medicine. This holds true for indication, performance of the examination itself, and in particular for image evaluation and writing of the report. In Germany, the radiologist is the only specialist who is systematically educated in all aspects of MRI during medical specialty training and who must document a specified, high number of examinations during this training. However, also non-radiologist physicians are increasingly endeavoring to conduct and bill MRI examinations on their own. In this position statement, the following aspects of quality assurance for MRI examinations and billing by radiologists and non-radiologist physician specialists are examined scientifically: Requirements for specialist physician training, MRI risks and contraindications, radiation protection in the case of non-ionizing radiation, application of MR contrast agents, requirements regarding image quality, significance of image artifacts and incidental findings, image evaluation and reporting, interdisciplinary communication and multiple-eyes principle, and impact on healthcare system costs. The German Roentgen Society, German Society of Neuroradiology, and Society of German-speaking Pediatric Radiologists are critical with regard to MRI performance by non-radiologists in the interest of quality standards, patient welfare, and healthcare payers. The 24-month additional qualification in MRI as defined by the physician specialization regulations (Weiterbildungsordnung) through the German state medical associations (Landesärztekammern) is the only competence-based and quality-assured training program for board-certified specialist physicians outside radiology. This has to be required as the minimum standard for performance and reporting of MRI exams. Exclusively unstructured MRI training outside the physician specialization regulations has to be strictly rejected for reasons of patient safety. The performance and reporting of MRI examinations must be reserved for adequately trained and continuously educated specialist physicians. · MR imaging plays an increasing role due to its high diagnostic value and serves as the reference standard in many indications.. · MRI is a complex technique that implies patient risks in case of inappropriare application or lack of expertise.. · In Germany, the radiologist is the only specialist physician that has been systematically trained in all aspects of MRI such as indication, performance, and reporting of examinations in specified, high numbers.. · The only competence-based and quality-assured MRI training program for specialist physicians outside radiology is the 24-month additional qualification as defined by the regulations through the German state medical associations.. · In view of quality-assurance and patient safety, a finalized training program following the physician specialization regulations has to be required for the performance and reporting of MRI examinations.. · Hunold P, Bucher AM, Sandstede J et al. Statement of the German Roentgen Society, German Society of Neuroradiology, and Society of German-speaking Pediatric Radiologists on Requirements for the Performance and Reporting of MR Imaging Examinations Outside of Radiology. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 1050 - 1060.

Low-powered implantable devices activated by ultrasonic energy transfer for physiological monitoring in soft tissue via functionalized electrochemical electrodes

Ultrasounds (US) are one of the most used imaging techniques in medicine for assessing the physiological and pathological state of soft tissue. Apart from therapeutic applications, most of the interaction of the acoustic beams with tissues occur passively and without substantial modification to the physiology of the latter. However, US can also be used to remotely power implantable devices with sensing capabilities. In this study, we propose small-form devices interfaced with functionalized electrochemical electrodes for the detection of pH and lactate levels, powered by ultrasounds and data transmission through a Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) modulation technique. A custom-made piezoelectric transducer is responsible for converting the acoustic waves into electrical voltage at the device with operational levels as low as 0.5 V (power consumption of 10 μW) obtained from implantation distances of 50 mm inside tissue. This conjugated with the high sensitivity of the developed electrochemical sensors allows to detect and transmit local parameter variations below 0.1 pH (4.2 mV) and 1 mM lactate (70 nA). Potential applications include real-time access to intrabody tissue monitoring post-operatively, with the view of assessing proper soft tissue healing or infection detection by bacteria, as well as tissue cancer screening in structures such as the human breast.

New fluorescent imaging technics in gastrology

Introduction. There is a need to develop a new imaging technique in medicine. Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders therefore for this branch is needed to detect all problems affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Aim. The aim of this article is to complete discuss the possibility of the new fluorescent imaging technics in gastrology to use innovative screening to identify individuals at an early stage. Material and methods. We discuss here imaging techniques such as include x-rays, computed tomography, scans, and magnetic resonance imaging in gastrology. Spectroscopy is the study of the formation and interpretation of spectra resulting from the interaction of all types of radiation on matter understood as a community of atoms and molecules. Various spectroscopic techniques are obtained by combining different types of radiation with different ways of its interaction with the test sample. They provide the opportunity to obtain detailed information about the tested substance – from its atomic composition, through its chemical structure, to its surface structure. Analysis of the literatue. The tissue fluorescence spectrum can be obtained by: (1) autofluorescence, or natural or primary fluorescence, i.e. by direct irradiation of the tissue with laser radiation (laser-induced fluorescence – LIF) and (2) photodynamic diagnosis (PDD), where spectrum analysis is preceded by systemic or local administration of the photosensitizer. Conclusion. The use of fluorescence imaging in colon cancer patient has potential to improve quality of treatment and diagnosis.

Post-mortem analysis of gunshot wounds to the head and thorax in dogs by computed tomography, radiography and forensic necropsy.

In view of the scarcity of literature data on the use of radiological imaging techniques in forensic veterinary medicine, while at the same time the number of reported crimes against animals involving the use of firearms is rising, this paper attempts to assess the usefulness of radiography and computed tomography (CT) in the post-mortem diagnosis of gunshot wounds (GSW) in comparison to classic necropsy. The design of the experiment was as follows: preparation of the research material (13 dog carcasses), shooting of the material from different distances (1.5 and 12 m, plus one contact shot to the head) and using different types of ammunition, followed by X-rays and CT scans in each case to examine the injuries resulting from the shot. The final steps of the experiment were photographic documentation and autopsy by the Virchow method. In the examined material, post-traumatic bone lesions and the presence of metallic foreign bodies were successfully imaged by both radiography and CT. GSW analysis using CT provided much better data quality and some additional information. Two general conclusions can be drawn from the results of the experiment. First, damage caused by gunshots is correlated with the calibre, initial velocity and kinetic energy of the projectile, as well as the distance from the muzzle of the gun to the object shot. Second, radiological examination is useful in preparing forensic veterinary opinions. Used as a complement to classic necropsy, they increase the possibility of an accurate post-mortem diagnosis of shooting victims.

Novel radiation sources using relativistic electrons - Applications

Novel sources of radiation using relativistic electrons in periodic structures are being briefly discussed based on different mechanisms and producing radiation of very different characteristic.In this article we will focus among others on the Smith-Purcell effect and the many efforts made since their discovery 55 years ago. Especially Smith-Purcell (SP) free- electron lasers (FELs) using low energy electron beam are being seen as attractive option for a compact source of coherent terahertz radiation. The latter refers to the production of radiation in the THz gap region associated with many applications including very promi- sing and interesting results on imaging techniques in Medicine as well as applications in Biology, Molecular Physics etc. We will present calculations of Radiation Factors based on the Smith-Purcell radiation production with very interesting characteristics and discuss the possibility of calculating and designing a complete system of coherent THz radiation production based on a Smith-Purcell FEL.

Detection of Breast Cancer using Digital Image Processing Techniques

Breast cancer, a major public health contention and currently causes an increased rate of cancer death in women. The preeminent intent of this project in medical diagnostics is by using mammography, that is a unique imaging technique in medicine for examining the breasts. A higher quality mammographic images (for example electronic pictures) are stored, mammography method (i.e exam) is performed, which is a prior stage for detection and diagnosis of bosom’s malignant growth. In order to detect the tumor FCM algorithm for segmentation is used and the features are extracted by using multi-level wavelet transformation technique with PCA and then some features are added with GLCM features. Further, those segmented region features are extracted and the dataset is trained and tested completely. The images are classified by using SVM, KNN, Tree classifier, Neural Networks or Naive Bayes classifier. Finally, the images from Kaggle dataset are compared and categorized as normal, benign or malignant tumors.

Possibilities of visualization as a lean method in the management of medical organizations

The article presents the results of a review of literature on the possibility of visualization in the health care system of the Russian Federation as one of the main methods of implementation of lean production. The historical aspect of the use of various imaging techniques in medicine is reflected in detail, as well as the advantages of some visualization tools in the organization of medical care. The existing legal and methodological framework for the use of visualization in the activities of medical organizations of various profiles is analyzed. Search publications carried out on the bases e-library, Medline, Scopus, Pub Med, The Cochrane Library and RINC.

Sports Injuries: Diagnosis, Prevention, Stem Cell Therapy, and Medical Sport Strategy.

Sports injuries diagnosis, prevention, and treatment are the most important issues of sports medicine. Fortunately, sports injuries are often treated effectively, and people with damage recover and return to the sport in a satisfactory condition. Meanwhile, many sports injuries and complications can be prevented. In general, sports injuries include acute or chronic injuries. Given increasing in popularity, sports medicine doctors use stem cells to treat a wide variety of sports injuries, including damage to tendons, ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. Stem cell therapy to an injured area could be done through direct surgical application, stem-cell-bearing sutures, and injection. Stem cell therapy holds potential for repair and functional plasticity following sports injuries compared to traditional methods; however, the mechanism of stem cell therapy for sports injuries remains largely unknown. Medical imaging technologies provide the hope to ample the knowledge concerning basic stem cell biology in real time when transplanted into sport-induced damaged organs. Using stem cell treatment might restore continuity and regeneration and promote growth back the organ targets. Besides, using a noninvasive medical imaging method would have the long-time monitoring advantage to the stem cells transplanting individual. The multimodality imaging technique allows for studying acute pathological events following sports injuries; therefore, the use of imaging techniques in medicine permits the straight examination of dynamic regenerative events of specific stem cells following a sports injury in people.

NON-INVASIVE INVERSE PROBLEM IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

In this contribution we focus on recovery of spatial distribution of material parameters utilizing only non-invasive boundary measurements. Such methods has gained its importance as imaging techniques in medicine, geophysics or archaeology. We apply similar principles for non-stationary heat transfer in civil engineering. In oppose to standard technique which rely on external loading devices, we assume the natural fluctuation of temperature throughout day and night can provide sufficient information to recover the underlying material parameters. The inverse problem was solved by a modified regularised Gauss-Newton iterative scheme and the underlying forward problem is solved with a finite element space-time discretisation. We show a successful reconstruction of material parameters on a synthetic example with real measurements. The virtual experiment also reveals the insensitivity to practical precision of sensor measurements.

Improving the quality of image segmentation in Ultrasound images using Reinforcement Learning

Ultrasound imaging is one of the imaging techniques in medicine in which the images resulted from ultrasonic wave propagation are used for diagnostic applications. Digital processing of these images for reasons is a difficult process due to causes such as noise, same distribution of intensity values, and unknown border of organs from image tissue. In this study, image segmentation and improving image and improving quality of the image segmentation was done during three stages: preprocessing, processing and post-processing. Multi-agent dimensional structure is selected which has the best result in the image segmentation. In the processing reinforcement learning factor, threshold operator values and opening operator dimensions obtained for image segmentation. In post-processing process, for improving the quality of image segmentation, the most appropriate dimensions are determined for morphology operators. The results of implementing the presented method on the sample of the prostate is displayed.

Synthesis and relaxivity measurement of porphyrin-based Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast agents

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become a prominent imaging technique in medicine. MRI contrast agents are used to increase the sensitivity of this technique. Recently, a new method for cancer treatment with a less side effect called photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been introduced. In this method cancer tissues are selectively destroyed without injuring the surrounding healthy cells. However, for the successful use of this method, the selection of an appropriate photosensitizer is important. Hence, diagnosis-treat union of MRI and PDT will be significantly promoted if a new family of bi-functional agents is found, which would combine the effects of a contrast agent in MRI and of a photosensitizer in PDT. It will bring great improvement to the cancer diagnosis and treatment. Porphyrins have proved to be useful photosensitizing agents in PDT due to their promising photophysical efficiency and a less side effect. This work briefly describes the research development of porphyrins as a photosensitizer applied in PDT, and also highlights the recent progress in the research on bi-functional agents of MRI-PDT. Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) units are incorporated at a meso-position of the porphyrin ring to synthesize new bi-functional agents of MRI-PDT with sufficient water solubility and high relaxation potency. Gd3+ complexes are prepared by the reaction of the high molecular weight porphyrin-based ligand with GdCl3·6H2O. The longitudinal relaxivity measurement indicates 154% and 251% enhancement compared to that of the widely used MRI contrast agent Gd-DTPA. These results indicate that the two complexes could possibly be used as bi-functional agents of MRI-PDT.

Teaching ultrasound in a curricular course according to certified EFSUMB standards during undergraduate medical education: a prospective study

BackgroundAs a non-invasive and readily available diagnostic tool, ultrasound is one of the most important imaging techniques in medicine. Ultrasound is usually trained during residency preferable according to German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) standards. Our curriculum calls for undergraduate training in ultrasound of medical students in their 4th year of undergraduate education. An explorative pilot study evaluated the acceptance of this teaching method, and compared it to other practical activities in medical education at Muenster University.Methods240 medical students in their 4th year of undergraduate medical education participated in the training and completed a pre- and post-questionnaire for self-assessment of technical knowledge, self-assurance of the procedure, and motivation in performing ultrasound using a Likert scale. Moreover, students were asked about their interest in pursuing a career in internal medicine. To compare this training to other educational activities a standardized online evaluation tool was used. A direct observation of procedural skills assessment (DOPS) for the first time applied on ultrasound aimed to independently assess the success of our teaching method.ResultsThere was a significant increase in technical knowledge and self-assurance (p < 0.001) of the students’ self-assessments. The clinical relevance and self-motivation of the teaching were evaluated positively. The students’ DOPS results demonstrated proficiency in the understanding of anatomic structures shown in ultrasonographic images, including terminology, machine settings, and transducer frequencies.ConclusionsTraining ultrasound according to certified DEGUM standards was successful and should be offered in undergraduate medical education. The evaluation of the course affirmed the necessity, quality and clinical relevance of the course with a top ranking score of hands-on training courses within the educational activities of the Medical Faculty of Muenster.

Performance Evaluation in Medical Image Segmentation

Modern imaging techniques in medicine have revolutionized the study of human anatomy and physiology. A central factor in the success of imaging-based approaches has been the emergence of sophisticated computational methods for extracting salient information from image data. The utility of image processing has prompted the development of numerous algorithms for medical data, but these have largely remained research tools and few have been incorporated into a clinical workflow. A primary cause of this poor track record is the lack of validation: safety and accuracy are in fact two important keywords when dealing with life-critical systems. In particular, these two aspects have to be taken into careful attention in medical image segmentation. This in fact represents the first step in the process that starts with the image acquisition and proceeds to the diagnosis step and therapy definition. Therefore it is important to analyze its possible inaccuracy sources, since they will affect the whole system. In literature there are several techniques for the performance evaluation of complex systems. However, most of the proposed approaches in the field of medical image processing only face the problem of defining different metrics allowing to assess the accuracy from a purely geometrical and quantitative point of view. In this paper it is provided an overview on the evaluation methods that have been proposed in literature and the advantages and shortcomings of the underlying design mechanisms are discussed. Finally, possible future directions for research in performance evaluation in medical image segmentation are proposed. Keywords: Medical imaging, Segmentation, Validation.

Lanthanide(III) chelates as MRI contrast agents: A brief description

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a prominent imaging technique in medicine. Gadoliniumbased contrast agents are extensively used to enhance the contrast between normal and diseased tissues through MRI scans. The article illustrates the paramount significance of such contrast agents in MRI applications. Clinically approved contrast agents as well as those in trial period are discussed. Important parameters, i.e. hydration number, rotational correlation time, and mean residence lifetime, influencing the relaxivity (sensitivity) of such agents are described in detail. Various approaches towards relaxivity enhancement are discussed with appropriate examples from the recent literature. A decrease in the Gdwater proton distance results in significant relaxivity enhancement. A comprehensive classification and explanation of Gd3+-based contrast agents are presented. Each class is explained with suitable examples. The stability of contrast agents is dependent on their chemical structure. Future contrast agents need to be tissue specific of high relaxivity, low toxicity, and lower administered dose for in vivo use.

Técnicas de imagen no invasivas en la investigación cardiovascular

Noninvasive imaging techniques are fundamental to modern cardiovascular medicine: they can result in accurate diagnosis and provide critical prognostic information. Moreover, they can be used to follow up a range of pathological conditions. These imaging techniques are now an essential part of everyday clinical practice, to the extent that the practice of cardiovascular medicine, as we know it today, is inconceivable without them. Correspondingly, imaging techniques play a key role in cardiovascular research. This article contains a review of the main applications of imaging techniques in cardiovascular research, discusses the importance of centralized imaging departments (i.e. core labs) for the acquisition of reliable measurements and their analysis, and, finally, assesses the usefulness of noninvasive imaging techniques in regenerative medicine.

Electromagnetic Tissue Properties Imaging for Biomedical Applications

Recently, imaging techniques in science, engineering, and medicine have evolved to expand our ability to visualize a property of an object such as the human body. In particular, there has been marked progress in electromagnetic property imaging techniques, where cross sectional image reconstructions of electric conductivity, permittivity, and magnetic susceptibility distributions inside the human body are pursued. These techniques also have wider application to imaging methods in medicine, biotechnology, nondestructive testing, monitoring of industrial process, and others. This special issue focuses on imaging methodologies, mathematical models, and computational algorithms for imaging electrical tissue properties for biomedical applications. The imaging problems in this topic can be formulated as inverse problems that are intrinsically nonlinear. Finding solutions with practical significance and value requires in-depth understanding of the underlying physical phenomena and data acquisition systems as well as implementation details of image reconstruction algorithms. Experience over the last three decades has shown that the symbiotic interplay between theoretical mathematics, computational mathematics, and experiments is crucial for understanding and solving these nonlinear problems in practice. With this special issue, we hope to give an opportunity for this scientific community to consolidate knowledge in the field and to identify the new challenges and the most promising directions for future progress. Jin Keun Seo William Lionheart Ulrich Katscher EungJe Woo

(iii) The basic science of nuclear medicine

Abstract Functional imaging techniques in nuclear medicine provide crucial diagnostic information in a variety of clinical settings that are encountered regularly in orthopaedic practice. It is important that the orthopaedic surgeon is aware of the modalities on offer and appreciates the relative strengths and limitations of these techniques. This article will describe the physical principles underlying nuclear medicine imaging with single-photon and positron-emitting radiotracers. It will then go on to illustrate the clinical applications of these techniques as applied to pathological conditions of the bone, with particular emphasis on bone scintigraphy and hybrid imaging techniques, such as single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT).